EU Leaders Convene in Brussels Amidst Middle East Crisis
The European Union leaders are gathering in Brussels for a special two-day summit focused on the bloc’s economic competitiveness. However, the agenda is set to be overshadowed by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, which the West fears could soon spiral out of control and turn into a wider regional conflict.
The concerns have been simmering since the start of the Israel-Hamas war and escalated dramatically after an Israeli airstrike hit the Iranian consulate in Damascus, killing seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. In retaliation, Tehran launched its first-ever attack on Israeli soil with 300 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, the vast majority of which were intercepted by Israel.
The barrage opened a new chapter in the long-running shadow war between the two nations, with the EU and the US vowing to tighten sanctions on Iran but calling on Israel to avoid a new attack that would further fan the flames.
This atmosphere of uncertainty and tension will impregnate the meeting in Brussels, which was initially conceived as a head-first dive into the bloc’s economy but has since then been altered to allow for a discussion on foreign policy.
Key Topics of Discussion
The first day of the meeting, set to begin on Wednesday evening after a reception with the King of Belgium, will touch upon the ongoing situation in Israel, Iran, the Gaza Strip, and Lebanon, as well as the war in Ukraine and relations with Turkey.
Lebanon is a particular source of concern, given its fragile government, financial troubles, and sectarian divisions, which have made the country a breeding ground for Iranian influence. Hezbollah, a Tehran-backed Islamist movement with a powerful paramilitary, took part in the attack against Israel by firing rockets across the border.
Additionally, leaders are expected to echo the recent UN Security Council resolution and call for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, demand the “unconditional release of all hostages” held by Hamas, and the provision of humanitarian aid for Palestinians.
EU-Turkey Relations and Ukrainian President’s Speech
The foreign policy talks will also examine the current state of EU-Turkey relations, which remain a strategic priority for all leaders despite the strain caused by accusations of sanctions evasion, democratic backsliding, and the dispute with Cyprus.
Wednesday will feature a virtual speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who recently criticized the West for failing to protect Ukrainian skies from Russian strikes.
The gathering could also give an additional spur to plans to use windfall revenues from Russian assets frozen in the EU to help arm and reconstruct Ukraine.
Economic Competitiveness on Thursday
With international affairs absorbing all the energy on Wednesday, the issue of economic competitiveness will move to Thursday. The debate will be based on a comprehensive report drafted by Enrico Letta, a former Italian prime minister, that introduces recommendations to deepen and strengthen the single market, with an eye on competition posed by the United States and China. — Euronews
